EVEN the greatest players suffer rejection at some stage in their careers.

Manchester City, for instance, still wince every time they see Ryan Giggs in a red shirt.

Oldham Athletic's loss has turned into Andy Driver's gain.

Andy who? He's the Saddleworth-born teenager, kicked out by Latics for not training hard enough, now forging a fine reputation with Scottish Premier League side Hearts. The 18-year-old winger made a scoring debut for the Tynecastle club at the start of the season.

And he almost certainly would have seen Champions League service, but for a torn muscle that has temporarily halted his progress.

So, how did a kid from Dobcross end up in Edinburgh?

"I started out playing for 3D Dynamos in Saddleworth," he told M.E.N. Sport. "My dad, David, used to do some coaching for them.

"I was probably five or six when I first joined them. For the first three years we won the league.

"I used to play for Dobcross primary school and eventually went down to Oldham's School of Excellence.

"But they chucked me out and said I didn't train enough.

Kick

"I thought I did but it gave me the kick up the backside I needed."

His father's work that took him to Scotland on a regular basis eventually led the family to moving north of the border.

Andy joined a local boys' club and within six months had signed for Hearts.

In February 2005 he signed a two-year pro contract. And he's clearly doing something right as the club recently awarded him a three-year extension.

"It's a bit too long," admits Andy. "But it's great to have that security."

Within four minutes of coming on for his first senior appearance Andy scored his goal against Inverness.

Then came his injury that ruined his chances of Champions League football.

"I probably would have played because our only other winger, Neil McCann, was also injured.

"However, I've got time on my side. I'm ambitious and want to play for one of the top teams eventually.

"But Hearts have been good to me and I'm still learning."

Despite an accent that has a distinct Scottish brogue about it, Andy's international future lies with England.

"I played for Scotland Schoolboys, but because all my family are English, I can't represent Scotland in the future.

"People up here still think I sound English but when I go home they reckon my accent has changed," he laughs.

"I'm still an Oldham fan even though I don't get to see them play. They're still the first results I look for - even if they did get rid of me!"